Overview

x Laeliocattleya Mars gx 'Mrs. Willoughby Pemberton' is a climbing orchid in the genus Laeliocattleya, part of the Orchidaceae family, with deciduous foliage. x Laeliocattleya Mars gx 'Mrs. Willoughby Pemberton' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens and wall side borders.

About

x Laeliocattleya Mars gx 'Mrs. Willoughby Pemberton' is an intergeneric orchid hybrid in the Laeliocattleya group with a climbing habit and deciduous leaves. It flowers in spring and early summer, producing its display between April and July. Give it full sun on a sheltered, south-facing aspect and a neutral, moist but well-drained loam. The grex suits walls, cottage borders and wildlife-friendly corners where its climbing stems can be trained.

About the genus

Laeliocattleya is a nothogenus of intergeneric orchid hybrids descended from the parental genera Laelia and Cattleya. It is abbreviated Lc. in the horticultural trade.

Wikipedia contributors, "× Laeliocattleya", CC BY-SA 4.0 — × Laeliocattleya

In the garden

An intergeneric hybrid derived from the parental genera Laelia and Cattleya, x Laeliocattleya Mars gx 'Mrs. Willoughby Pemberton' carries the orchid family's horticultural traditions into a climbing form. As a Laeliocattleya, it combines the growth habit of a vining orchid with deciduous foliage, so expect seasonal leaf drop and a concentrated bloom period from April to July. Position matters: a south-facing, sheltered site gives the warmth and light this grex prefers while protecting blooms and shoots from prevailing winds. Use a neutral, loam-based soil kept moist but with good drainage; heavy, waterlogged conditions will damage roots, while a consistent moisture regime helps set flowers. Though listed as H6 (very hardy), siting against a wall or in a protected border improves winter survival and microclimate. Train the climbing stems onto wires or a trellis so the flowering spikes are displayed at eye level and to reduce mechanical stress on the shoots. In the garden it suits cottage and informal layouts, wall-side borders and wildlife gardens where its spring–summer flowers can be appreciated close up. Plant where the blooms can be inspected and recorded easily, as the climbing habit presents flowers accessibly between April and July.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Laeliocattleya

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H6

Plant details

x Laeliocattleya Mars gx 'Mrs. Willoughby Pemberton' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Orchid

Habit

Climbing

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Wall side borders

Care notes

Pruning and caring for x Laeliocattleya Mars gx 'Mrs. Willoughby Pemberton'

Propagation

Softwood cuttings in early to mid spring, Hardwood cuttings in late summer to autumn, Chip budding in summer, Seed propagation (requires stratification)

Pest resistance

Aphids, Rose leafhopper, Glasshouse red spider mite, Scale insects, Caterpillars, Large rose sawfly, Rose slugworm sawfly, Rose leaf-rolling sawfly, Deer, Rabbits

Disease resistance

Rose black spot, Rose rust, Replant disease, Rose dieback, Rose powdery mildew, Honey fungus, Rose blindness, Flower balling

Frequently asked questions